Texas Hazmat Endorsement Process — Step by Step
Texas has the highest number of Hazmat-endorsed CDL drivers in the country, driven by the oil and gas industry, chemical plants, and major freight corridors along I-10, I-35, and I-45. Texas is also an “agent state,” meaning the TSA enrollment process is coordinated through the Texas DPS. Here is the complete process to add a Hazmat endorsement to your Texas CDL.
1
Complete Hazmat ELDT Online — $20
Complete DLA Academy's FMCSA-approved Hazmat theory course online in under 2 hours on any device. Your completion is automatically submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry within 24 hours — no extra steps required.
2
Apply at Texas DPS & Pass the Knowledge Test
Once your ELDT is in the TPR, visit a Texas DPS Driver License office. Bring your CDL, citizenship documents, and DOT medical card. Fill out Form CDL-6, pay the $11 test fee, and take the Hazmat knowledge exam. Contact Texas DPS at (512) 424-2600 to find your nearest CDL office.
3
Schedule TSA Fingerprinting Through IdentoGO
DPS will give you the IdentoGO service code after you complete the application. Schedule fingerprinting at uenroll.identogo.com or call 888-467-2080. Texas requires DPS application first — you cannot start fingerprinting until DPS issues your service code.
4
TSA Approval — Background Check Clears
TSA reviews your background check and fingerprints. This takes 30–60 days. The knowledge test and TSA check can run in parallel — you do not need TSA approval before taking the knowledge test.
5
Receive Your Texas Hazmat Endorsement
Once you pass the knowledge test and TSA approves, Texas DPS issues the Hazmat (H) endorsement on your CDL. The endorsement is valid for 5 years or until your CDL expires, whichever comes first. Total timeline: 6–10 weeks from ELDT completion.
Pro Tip — Texas Specific
Texas Is an Agent State — Order Matters
Unlike most states, you cannot start TSA fingerprinting until you complete the DPS application and receive your service code. Plan your trip to DPS for after you finish ELDT, then book IdentoGO the same day you leave the DPS office. Running them in parallel from that point cuts your total wait by weeks.
Finish ELDT → visit Texas DPS → get service code → book IdentoGO same day → wait for TSA
Texas Hazmat Knowledge Test — What to Expect
Before you sit for the Texas DPS Hazmat knowledge test, know what you are walking into.
30Total Questions
24Needed to Pass
80%Passing Score
$11DPS Test Fee
The test covers federal hazmat regulations, substance handling, material packaging, quantity limits, placarding requirements, and transport configurations. All questions come from Section 9 of the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook. DLA Academy's Hazmat ELDT covers all of these topics.
Texas-only renewal note: Texas requires an annual HME knowledge exam. If you fail the annual exam three times during a renewal cycle, that triggers a new TSA threat assessment even before the 5-year mark.
Must be 21+ to transport hazardous materials in interstate commerce. This is federal law, not state-specific.
Total Cost to Get Your Texas Hazmat Endorsement
Here is exactly what it costs to get your Texas Hazmat endorsement from start to finish.
| Item |
Cost |
| DLA Academy Hazmat ELDT (online theory) |
$20 |
| Texas DPS Hazmat knowledge test fee |
$11 |
| Texas DPS CDL with H endorsement (5 years) |
$61 |
| TSA fingerprinting through IdentoGO |
$85.25 |
| Total estimated cost |
~$177 |
What Texas Hazmat ELDT Covers
- Hazardous materials regulations and classification
- Proper placarding and labeling requirements
- Loading, unloading, and cargo segregation rules
- Emergency response procedures for Hazmat incidents
- Driver responsibilities under FMCSA Hazmat regulations
- Hours of service requirements for Hazmat loads
- Pre-trip inspection procedures for Hazmat vehicles
- All FMCSA-required Appendix A to Part 380 Hazmat topics
Already have a CDL? You still need Hazmat ELDT if you are adding the Hazmat endorsement for the first time — regardless of when you got your CDL or how long you have been driving. The February 7, 2022 exemption applies to license classes, not endorsements.
Texas Hazmat ELDT — $20 Flat
FMCSA-approved, auto-submitted to TPR, accepted at Texas DPS. Under 2 hours on any device.
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3-Endorsement Bundle — Best Value
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Hazmat ELDT Passenger ELDT School Bus ELDT
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need ELDT to get my Hazmat endorsement in Texas?+
Yes. Federal law requires all CDL drivers adding a Hazmat endorsement for the first time to complete ELDT theory training from an FMCSA-approved provider before the Texas DPS knowledge test. This applies regardless of how long you have held your CDL.
How many questions are on the Texas Hazmat knowledge test?+
The Texas DPS Hazmat knowledge test has 30 multiple choice questions. You must answer at least 24 out of 30 correctly (80%) to pass. All questions come from Section 9 of the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook.
How much does it cost to get a Hazmat endorsement in Texas?+
Total cost is approximately $177. This includes $20 for DLA Academy ELDT, $11 for the Texas DPS knowledge test, $61 for the CDL with H endorsement, and $85.25 for TSA fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
How much does Hazmat ELDT cost in Texas?+
DLA Academy offers Hazmat ELDT for $20 — the lowest price available for FMCSA-approved theory training accepted at Texas DPS. The Hazmat + DMV Test Prep bundle is $30. No hidden fees, no subscriptions.
How long does it take to get a Hazmat endorsement in Texas?+
The full process takes 6–10 weeks. ELDT theory takes under 2 hours. TSA fingerprinting and background check through IdentoGO takes 30–60 days. Start your TSA appointment after completing your DPS application to run both processes in parallel.
Why is Texas an agent state for hazmat fingerprinting?+
Texas is one of a handful of agent states meaning the TSA enrollment process is coordinated through the Texas DPS rather than handled directly through TSA's online portal. You must complete your DPS application and pay the test fee at a DPS office before you receive the service code to schedule your IdentoGO fingerprinting appointment.
What is the minimum age for a Texas Hazmat endorsement?+
You must be at least 21 years old to transport hazardous materials in interstate commerce, which covers virtually all hazmat transportation. This is a federal requirement, not state-specific.
How do I verify my ELDT completion in Texas?+
Your completion is automatically submitted to the FMCSA TPR within 24 hours of finishing the course. Verify at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov. Texas DPS checks your TPR status automatically before scheduling your Hazmat knowledge test.
Does Texas DPS accept DLA Academy ELDT?+
Yes. DLA Academy is a registered FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR) provider. Texas DPS verifies ELDT completion directly through the FMCSA TPR system. Your completion is submitted automatically within 24 hours of finishing the course.
Can I do Hazmat ELDT and CDL A ELDT at the same time?+
Yes — if you are a first-time CDL A applicant also adding a Hazmat endorsement, you need both CDL A Theory ELDT and Hazmat ELDT. Both are $20 each and can be completed back to back online. DLA Academy's 3-Endorsement Bundle covers Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus ELDT for $50.
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